Apparatus, system and method for mixing and dispensing dental impression materials

Abstract

An apparatus, system and method for mixing and dispensing dental impression materials is described. A dental impression material mixing machine comprises a water dispenser fluidly coupled to a hollow mixing axle, the mixing axle extending through a pulley, wherein an inner circumference of the hollow mixing axle forms a water conduit and an outer circumference of the hollow mixing axle forms a hub connector, a closeable valve inserted at a water entrance to the water conduit and electronically coupled to a water pump, an electronically commutated motor rotateably coupled to the pulley, wherein the hub connector receives a tubular rotatable hub of a disposable mixing vessel comprising dry dental impression powder, and wherein water is dispensed from the water dispenser into the disposable mixing vessel through the water conduit and hub orifice.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A mixing machine comprising:
 a water dispenser fluidly coupled to a hollow mixing axle, the hollow mixing axle extending centrally through a pulley; 
 the hollow mixing axle rotatable by the pulley, wherein an inner circumference of the hollow mixing axle defines a water conduit and an outer circumference of the hollow mixing axle defines a hub connector; 
 the water dispenser fluidly coupled to a removeable mixing vessel by the water conduit; 
 a platform at least partially surrounding the hollow mixing axle, the platform mateable with a lid of the removeable mixing vessel; 
 the removeable mixing vessel comprising a tubular rotatable hub, wherein the tubular rotatable hub is mateable to the hub connector; and 
 the tubular rotatable hub comprising:
 a flexible cord threaded through the tubular rotatable hub to form at least two loops of the flexible cord, the at least two loops extending from the tubular hub contouredly along an inner surface of the removeable mixing vessel, wherein the at least two loops cross each other at a base of the removeable mixing vessel. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The mixing machine of  claim 1 , wherein the removeable mixing vessel further comprises:
 a disposable receptacle comprising:
 a flexible tubular wall; and 
 a rounded bowl contiguous with the flexible tubular wall, the rounded bowl forming the base of the disposable receptacle. 
 
 
     
     
       3. The mixing machine of  claim 2 , wherein the rotatable tubular hub has a series of apertures spaced circumferentially around the tubular hub and the flexible cord is threaded through opposing apertures. 
     
     
       4. The mixing machine of  claim 2 , wherein the base has a slit and further comprising a removable adhesive sealedly enclosing the slit. 
     
     
       5. The mixing machine of  claim 1 , wherein the removeable mixing vessel comprises dry dental impression powder. 
     
     
       6. The mixing machine of  claim 1 , wherein the tubular rotatable hub extends centrally through the lid of the removeable mixing vessel. 
     
     
       7. The mixing machine of  claim 1 , wherein the water dispenser comprises a water pump inside the water dispenser, and the mixing machine further comprises a closeable valve inserted at a water entrance to the water conduit and electronically coupled to the water pump.